(AN: Okay this is rated T so I'm not going to put anything inappropriate in here. Thank you to those who have been reviewing my story so far.)

Ch 5

Anita awoke the next morning and turned to see William gone. She had reluctantly given in to stay with William last night. She found a slip of paper on his pillow and unfolded it.

Anita,

Sorry I wasn't here; I had to speak with Cornwallis this morning. Meet me in the garden at noon. Don't be late,

William

Anita smiled and changed with the help of a maid to tighten her corset.

" Thank you, um-" Anita stopped not knowing her name.

" It's Ebony, ma'am" the young girl smiled.

" Ebony?" Anita repeated.

" Shall I do your hair ma'am?" Ebony asked.

Anita nodded and sat down in front of the mirror as Ebony curled and worked her hair on the top of her head. The finished product was nicely done. Anita turned to the girl and thanked her once again.

" Um ma'am Captain Bordon wanted to give this to you," Ebony whispered handing a letter to her. Then Anita excused her and waited until the door was shut to open the letter.

My Dearest Anita,

I don't know why I've written to you; for the trouble this letter would cause if found would be unimaginable. Yesterday I objected because I love you, yet your decision left me wondering whether you loved me. There's nothing I can do now to help you now.

I still love you, I always will. Just don't forget me and remember I'll always be there for you. For the time being goodbye,

James

Anita felt weak and sat down trying to take in all that had happened. She decided to hide the letter in her sketchbook. She went downstairs and checked the time on the clock. It was already 11: 57! She ran out to the garden in hopes of reaching William in time. She nearly tripped over her gown as she passed the bench. Someone grabbed her hand.

" Excuse me!" she exclaimed.

" Oh excuse yourself!" they shot back pulling her to the bench.

She looked at them and sighed in frustration and shock.

" Don't do that!" she snapped at William.

He smirked and moved so that she could sit down. She pulled her hat back so she could see well.

" What took you so long?" He demanded.

" What are you talking about? I was here on time!" she snapped.

William looked at her incredulously.

" You were fifteen minutes late, Anita." He stated

" That's not possible the clock in the-"

The clock in the entry way is always fifteen minutes late." William cut in.

Anita huffed in defeat and turned to look glance away for a moment.

A couple strolled talking excitedly, a few women gossiped as they returned to the Middleton's home. William tapped her on the shoulder.

" I wanted to say Thank you for last night." He said in a hushed tone.

Anita, not knowing how to reply thanked him as well.

" Than you for the wonderful gift, who told you I played?" she asked.

" I thought that most women did, I just happened to marry a woman who was good at It." He smiled

" I don't really have much time, I have to go and meet the Lord General and O'Hara here to discuss some military matters."

" Oh, well." She smirked.

" Would you accompany me? "

Anita never expected him to ever ask her to go anywhere with him. Especially since they didn't really know each other to well.

" Are you sure, I mean don't you need to talk to them alone?"

" They asked me to introduce you to them, they really didn't get to congratulate us yesterday." He frowned.

Anita obliged and he took her to where the two generals were standing.

Anita got one look at their fake smiles and knew this was not going to be good.

She stood next to William as he introduced her to them. O'Hara eyed William disapprovingly before turning to talk to her.

" Lady Tavington it is an honor to make your acquaintance." He said the title as if he swallowed something rather sour.

She nodded and played along, ignoring his tone.

" I'm sorry we did not get to meet you earlier." Cornwallis said.

The gentlemen talked a little while more about the wedding then moved on to military talk, which she found rather boring. O'Hara kept looking over at her nervously; as though he hopped she couldn't under stand what they were saying. Anita excused herself, saying she had to attend to something. She walked the long way to the house, looking at all the flowers in bloom. Suddenly Ebony came rushing over to her.

" M'lady, your father wants to see you, he says something's wrong with your mother."